Preventing Injuries with Peak Form

Start the New Year Off in Alignment

In addition to traumatic injuries, the aches and pains we accrue over the years are the result of wearing that is aggravated by poor biomechanics. Our body’s function changes after traumatic occurrences such as car accidents, athletic injuries and emotional life events such as the loss of a loved one. As well, our bodies respond in a very compensatory manner when we are sedentary, don’t stretch to maintain mobility and too frequently use external supports that take the stabilizing role away from us. Our bodies need to find stability in mobility to work efficiently and prevent the premature breakdown of its’ parts. Flexibility that can be controlled is the key to returning the body to the fluid functional movement patterns that it thrives on.

We can optimize the natural movement patterns by performing exercises that mobilize and open the joints and improve the flexibility of the muscles and their connective tissue called fascia. This allows a joint to move fluidly through it’s range of motion without undue pressure on any one particular portion of it which can ultimately reduce the degree of wearing. Flexibility is as critical to the function of the joints as air is to the function of the lungs. Enabling the body to find correct movements by improving posture and flexibility is a long-term ticket to a healthy skeleton. This means that appropriate physical activity is essential to function. And while the skeleton is the particular topic of the moment, activity also facilitates optimal function of the other major systems of the body such as the immune and endocrine systems and the organ of the skin. It also improves emotional and mental clarity. When the musculo-skeletal system becomes chronically injured, we compromise movement which is elemental to our health.

Yoga is an effective modality for improving function because is stretches the body in an active manner, giving muscular support to the new range of motion. Yoga, as a whole system of movements, also takes the practitioner through a series of functional movement patterns that we lose touch with as adults who don’t move with frequency. The movement and postural awareness that comes with practice provides us, at the very least, with a springboard for moving more fluidly and preventing injury.

Start the new year off right by improving your mobility and alignment with a yoga practice. I can help you understand the basic alignment and stability principles that apply to your body and where you are at baseline. So as you start or increase your levels of activity, your body does so with greater wisdom and ease.